Published：May 24, 03:24Last updated：May 25, 13:20

Trump Defends Japan as Xi Criticizes Militarization at Summit

May. 24, 2026 03:24

U.S. President Donald Trump supported Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during criticism from Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Sino-U.S. summit, as reported by Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun.

Summarized

8News

6Media

May. 25, 2026 06:35

Chinese President Xi Jinping reportedly expressed strong anger during a meeting with US President Donald Trump in Beijing on May 14-15, criticizing Japan's rearmament. According to the Financial Times, Xi raised his voice and appeared visibly agitated, particularly targeting Japanese Prime Minister Daikachi Sanae. The incident marked one of the most intense moments during the two-day summit.

May. 25, 2026 13:20

China denied a Financial Times report claiming President Xi Jinping criticized Japan's 'remilitarization' during talks with US President Donald Trump. The FT alleged Xi's 'intense diatribe' caught US officials off guard, but China's foreign ministry called the account inaccurate. The meeting, held in Beijing, was Trump's first visit to China in nearly a decade. Tensions between China and Japan have risen over military spending and Taiwan. China accused Japan of steering toward 'neo-militarism' amid defense budget increases.

The recent Sino-U.S. summit in Beijing witnessed heightened tensions as Chinese President Xi Jinping launched unexpected criticism against Japan's military policies, while former U.S. President Donald Trump came to the defense of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. The confrontation became one of the most dramatic moments of the two-day diplomatic meeting, revealing underlying geopolitical fault lines in East Asia.

🌏 Diplomatic Clash Emerges

President Xi Jinping's sharp criticism of Japan's increased defense spending and Prime Minister Takaichi's leadership reportedly caught U.S. officials off guard. The Chinese leader accused Japan of threatening regional peace through militarization, specifically targeting Takaichi and Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te. Trump countered by praising Takaichi's leadership, creating a rare public divergence between the two leaders during the summit. Chosun Ilbo+2

🛡️ Japan's Defense Policies Under Fire

Xi's outburst focused on Japan's recent military budget increases, which he labeled as "neo-militarism." The Financial Times reported visible agitation from Xi during the exchange, while China later denied the intensity of the confrontation. The incident highlighted growing tensions between China and Japan, particularly regarding Taiwan and regional security dynamics. Japan has steadily increased defense spending amid concerns over China's military expansion in the Pacific. Bloomberg+2

🤝 Trump's Strategic Support

Former President Trump's vocal support for Prime Minister Takaichi marked a significant moment in U.S.-Japan relations. His defense came despite the topic not being on the official summit agenda, demonstrating the unpredictable nature of the discussions. The U.S. position appeared to align more closely with Japan's security concerns, contrasting with China's strong objections to Tokyo's military policies. Reuters+2

BeijingXi JinpingDonald TrumpSanae TakaichiSino-U.S. summit